Shoe-stretcher.



G. B. KOSTBRS- APPLICATION FILED A 111111111 6.

911,506. Patented Feb.2. 1909.

(ELEMENTS B. KOSTERS, or BUFFALO, EW YORK.

SHOE-S TRE TCHZEZR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Iieb. 2, 1909.

Application filed AugustBl, 1906. .Seria1lTo..332,832.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknow'n'that I, CLnrmNms B. Kosrnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the -.county of Erie .and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Shoe-Stretchers, of which .the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved shoe stretcher and the object of the invention is to produce an extremely light, small and compact article of simple, strong and cheap construction and remarkably efficient in operation.

The invention also relates to certain .details of construction all of which will be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred adaptation of the improved stretcher is shown. V V I.

Figure 1, is a side elevation of a preferred adaptation of the improved stretcher. ,Fig. 2, is a vertical longitudinal .section on line aa, Fig. 5. Fig. 3, is a detached top plan view of the lower member. Fig. 4;, is a detached bottom view of the upper member. Fig. 5, is a rear end view of a preferred adaptation of the improved stretcher. Fig. 6, is a vertical transverse section on line 6-6, Fig. 3.

In referring to the drawings in detail like numerals designate like parts.

The improved stretcher generally considered consists of a plurality of members one at least of which is movable vertically at least in part from at least another member when within a shoe to stretch the same and movable horizontally to engage or disengage said members.

In the preferred adaptation illustrated in the accompanying drawings the stretcher is composed of a lower member 1, and an upper member 2, thelower member having a transverse intermediate projection 3, at tached thereto by. suitable means such as the screws 4, and the upper member having an intermediate transverse. socket 5, in which the projection 3, fits. The socket 5, is nearly circular in cross section being open at the bottom as shown in Fig. 4, and extends horizontally from side to side completely through the member and the projection3, is of corresponding circular form in: cross section, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is equal in length to the width of that portion of the member to which it is attached. The bottom surface 7, of the upper member 2, is curved or convexed irregularly so that it may rock on :the lower member. That portion of the top surface of the lower member in front of the projection 3 isslightly curved oraconcaved voutand that portion in the rear of said projection 53., is substantially straight and fiat. in fact the top surface 6., would be substantially straight and flat but for the shallow concavity in front of the projection ,3. The hottomsurface '7 of the top member is shaped so that the part in the rear of the socket 5 will about contact throughout with that portion of the top surface 6, when the .membersare in one position and the part in front .of the socket .will fit in the concavity in the front portion of the top surface 6 when the members are another position. The two members when assembled together are so formed that they fit within a shoe and are separated vertically from each other at thelfrontgendof the stretcher to stretch the shoe.

The means for vertically separating the forward extremities of the two members consists of'a bolt having its head 8, seated against the bottom surface of the lower member near its rear end, and its shank 9,

unrotatably fitted in an opening in said lower member. The upper portion of the shank 9, passes through a slot 10, which is formed in the rear end of the upper member and extends forward in a longitudinal direction for a short distance from said rear end and a butter-fly nut 11, screws upon the upper projecting screw-threaded extremity of the shank and presses against the marginal sides of the slot 10, in the upper member to rock said upper member. The purpose of the slot is to permit the necessary movement of the bolt shank with respect to the upper member when said upper member is rocked and allow the bolt head to be rigidly and 'unrotatably secured to the lower member. The two members are fitted together by sliding the projection 3, transversely in the socket 5, and then fitting the bolt into place. To separate the members proceed reversely that is reverse the bolt and slide the projection 3, transversely out of the socket 5. It is to be noted that the projection 3, serves not only to rockably support the upper member but it also prevents vertical separation of the members by reason of the fact that the socket is curved to more than one half of the circle. When the two members are rocked the projection turns or partially rotates in the socket and when they are dismounted or assembled the projection slides longitudinally in the transverse socket. By this means the projection acts as a supportor fulcrum upon which the upper member rocks and prevents vertical separation of the members without interference with their disengagement or engagement by a horizontal sliding movement in a transverse direction. When the bolt is in place it locks the members against transverse movement tending to separate or dismount them.

This improved device can be used not only as a stretcher but also as a shoe form upon which shoes can be placed when not in use to maintain them in an upwrinkled condition.

This improved device is so light and compact that it can be easily carried by travelers, has but few parts and is manufactured very cheaply and operates to stretch a shoe by vertical movement only, instead of the usual horizontal spreading movement which tends to not only widen the shoe but also to tear the upper from the sole.

I claim as my invention- 1. A shoe stretcher comprising a lower member having a projection of circular form in cross section mounted on an inter mediate portion of said member and an and means for rocking one of said members with respect to the other member; said means being also adapted to prevent horizontal dismounting of the members.

2. In a device of the class described, upper and lower members; one member having an intermediate transverse projection and another member a transverse socket in which the projection fits to hinge the members together, said projection and socket being constructed and arr: nged to positively lock the members together against vertical separation, but allowing transverse horizontal separation whereby one of said members is adapted to have a vertical rocking movement, and to be assembled or dismounted by transverse horizontal movement and means for rocking said members, said rocking means being also adapted to prevent transverse separating movement of the members, substantially as set forth.

CLEMENTS B. KOSTlQl-tS.

lVitnesses L. M. SANGSTER, GEO. A. NEUBAUER. 

